The Miners Association of Nigeria has faulted the recent proposal by Northern Governors and Elders calling for the suspension of mining activities as a solution to rising insecurity in the region.
In a statement jointly signed by the National President, Dele Ayanleke, and the National Secretary, Sulaiman Liman, the Association says while insecurity remains a national concern, banning mining is not the answer.
The Association explains that criminal activities in rural areas persist largely because farms and mining sites are located far from urban security coverage, adding that this challenge is not peculiar to mining alone.
It stresses that no link has been established between legal mining and terrorism or banditry, insisting instead that illegal mining—conducted without licences or regulation—fuels criminal operations.
The statement notes that legitimate miners comply with environmental and security standards, work with host communities, support rural infrastructure and contribute significantly to national revenue and industrial development.
It warns that a blanket ban on mining in the North would punish law-abiding operators, throw thousands out of work, worsen poverty and ultimately escalate insecurity.
The Association recalls that a similar ban in Zamfara State in 2019 failed to curb banditry, kidnapping and illegal mining, which later spread to neighbouring states including Katsina, Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi.
It adds that past bans only drove legitimate miners away, while illegal operators—backed by local and foreign sponsors—continued to access mineral sites unchecked.
According to the Association, suspending mining activities now would weaken investor confidence, undermine ongoing reforms in the sector and contradict the Federal Government’s efforts to attract global investment under the 7-Point Agenda of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake.
It further argues that the proposed ban would disrupt industries dependent on mineral raw materials, threaten jobs and reverse recent revenue gains from the solid minerals sector.
The Miners Association urges Northern Governors to channel part of their security votes into strengthening the Mining Marshals and supporting federal measures against illegal mining, rather than pushing for actions that contradict constitutional provisions.
The statement therefore appeals to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly to reject the suspension proposal in the interest of national stability, economic growth and constitutional order.
